Egypt’s sports ministry says Mohamed Salah will return in November and his dispute with the coaching staff is over.

Hossam Hassan’s future deserves a broader test than whether his captain turns up for the next camp.

Against Angola on 25 September, Hossam withdrew Salah after about an hour with the score 0–0.

He confirmed that Salah was not injured and described the substitution as a “technical decision”.

Egypt finished without a goal.

A technical decision that needs explaining

A coach must be free to replace any player.

But that brief explanation did little to establish how Egypt expected to become more dangerous without Salah.

Taking responsibility for a decision does not put it beyond scrutiny.

The criticism also extends beyond Salah.

Hossam’s remarks that Mohamed El Shenawy had once been “finished” at Al Ahly prompted a formal protest from the club.

Former Egypt international Shikabala questioned both those comments and the reasoning behind Salah’s substitution.

Hossam has a substantial achievement in his favour: Egypt reached the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup under him.

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Any assessment of his future should weigh that record alongside his handling of the players who helped deliver it.

The FA must look beyond a November return

The FA’s board meets on 12 October to review national-team reports and media policy.

Presenter Seif Zaher has relayed Hany Abo Rida’s backing for Hossam and Ibrahim Hassan to continue, while saying the FA would address the South Sudan events involving vice-president Khaled El Darandaly.

The ministry’s announcement, meanwhile, did not explain whether Salah had personally agreed to return or how the disagreement was settled.

That leaves the arrangements unclear; it does not establish that Salah refuses to play under Hossam.

Sacking a coach and disciplining him also require different arguments.

The substitution alone is insufficient grounds for demanding punishment.

Any sanction should follow findings of specific misconduct, with each member of the staff accountable for his own actions.

The FA should require clear answers about the camp and a credible plan for managing relations with senior players.

If it finds that Hossam cannot maintain those working relationships, it should replace him.

A November reunion alone cannot settle the question of his leadership.